Minnesota State Colleges & Universities

Why return to college?

College is an experience that can change your life. You gain the knowledge and skills you need to establish a good-paying career. With a college education, you have more career choices and opportunities.

The more you learn, the more you can earn.

Did you know that a college degree can boost your lifetime earnings? A person with an associate degree makes, on average, about $10,000 per year more than a person with only a high school diploma. And a graduate with a bachelor's degree makes $29,000 a year more, on average, than someone with only a high school diploma. Your actual income will depend on your choice of career, where you live and other factors; but in general, a college degree is a great investment.

In addition, college graduates are less likely to be unemployed. In 2010, people with only a high school diploma had a 10.3 percent unemployment rate, compared to 7 percent for those with associate degrees and 5.4 percent for people with bachelor's degrees.

Get more out of life.

College graduates typically make more money, have better access to health care, are more involved in their community, enjoy more leisure activities and provide a better quality of life for their children.